Where to get original tires dismounted?

[Stealth78]

Just bought a new to me GenIV Viper. Just like when I bought my 06 this car is also still on factory rubber. I searched around the last time and was told to bring it to a specific guy as I did not want any marks on my wheels. Well unfortunately the guy had a ton of trouble getting the old hard as hockey puck tires off and I wound up with a few small gouges in a couple of my wheels. Just curious if there are any company's out there that have the ability to not do any damage at all as I was pretty pissed the last time. I know being old rubber and having low profile tires is tough but I still feel as if this must be possible. Thanks

[mjorgensen]

The 06' likely had old runflats that are very hard to work with, the Gen4 cars did not have runflats so it should be much easier for a good shop to do.

[City]

I see you're in MA. Might want to speak with those guys (New England Region) about who they trust up there. I'm sure there's a few techs that have the proper equipment and can handle this without any problems.

http://driveviper.com/forums/forums/39-New-England

[viperman4125]

Just bought a new to me GenIV Viper. Just like when I bought my 06 this car is also still on factory rubber. I searched around the last time and was told to bring it to a specific guy as I did not want any marks on my wheels. Well unfortunately the guy had a ton of trouble getting the old hard as hockey puck tires off and I wound up with a few small gouges in a couple of my wheels. Just curious if there are any company's out there that have the ability to not do any damage at all as I was pretty pissed the last time. I know being old rubber and having low profile tires is tough but I still feel as if this must be possible. Thanks

I ONLY GO for this ,-go to the Dealer- Dodge Dealer

[uvbnbit]

Where are you? I just took some original RF's off an '05 Mamba last Saturday. I really wasn't looking forward to it. My machine isn't really designed to do RF's but I can. It's just a bit more "hands on and physical", LOL. That being said, no problems taking them off or breaking the 11 year old bead :D. It's a bit easier if tires are warmed up. Whoever does it, maybe they can start on it when you drive up. Pull others and leave them in the sun if possible.
Installed some of those special Pirellis back on it. 355/30, 285/40. They look great.

[Stealth78]

The 06' likely had old runflats that are very hard to work with, the Gen4 cars did not have runflats so it should be much easier for a good shop to do.

Thanks Mark. I was actually wondering about that. I do not yet have the car in my possession as it is being picked up by InterCity today, hence the fact I was not sure about if it had run flats or not.

[Stealth78]

Thanks to all that have chimed in. Another question regarding this... When I bought my 06 that car was from up here in New England so the tires had seen a lot of cold weather, in-turn they were hard as nails, combine that with being run flats and they were horrible! My 08 that I just bought lived for it's first 5 years in a climate controlled garage/showroom out in CA, it only had 520 miles on it at that point. Second owner (gentleman I bought it from) lives in AZ, since buying he has only put about 1,300 miles on the car and the car currently has 1,846 miles on it (WOOHOO!!!). Being that the tires are basically brand new tread wise, and seeing that they never really saw much if any for cold temperatures, do you guys think they will need to be replaced immediately? I wonder if the compound of the tires have hardened like they did on my 06 seeing this car has not seen the extreme temperature fluctuations.

[City]

Being that the tires are basically brand new tread wise, and seeing that they never really saw much if any for cold temperatures, do you guys think they will need to be replaced immediately? I wonder if the compound of the tires have hardened like they did on my 06 seeing this car has not seen the extreme temperature fluctuations.

You can check the tire manufacture date on the sidewall. Don't go by the car model year. The rule with Vipers is 5 years on tires, 6 at most; regardless of the storage and temp conditions (unless the tires are unmounted and stored in precise sealed conditions). Beyond 6 years, you've got seriously compromised rubber.

Think one of our sponsors, JonB (PartsRack) is running a special).

[Stealth78]

You can check the tire manufacture date on the sidewall. Don't go by the car model year. The rule with Vipers is 5 years on tires, 6 at most; regardless of the storage and temp conditions (unless the tires are unmounted and stored in precise sealed conditions). Beyond 6 years, you've got seriously compromised rubber.

Think one of our sponsors, JonB (PartsRack) is running a special).

That's what I was assuming. The other part that kind of sucks is that by the time the car gets here next week I'm only going to have about 2 months worth of drive time before she goes into the garage for the winter. Hate to put brand new rubber on it for them to just sit for about 5 months through the winter. Is what it is I guess.

[uvbnbit]

Like scott said. Serious deals on tires right now.
Keep it conservative, buy the tires, install in spring..my 2 copper Lincoln's.

[ViperPete]

Please please please take some hi-def burnout doughnut videos!!!!!

I cant wait until my tires are worn enough to do that!

[Stealth78]

Please please please take some hi-def burnout doughnut videos!!!!!

I cant wait until my tires are worn enough to do that!

HAHA! I definitely gave the tires on my 06 a really good farewell ride. I'll keep you updated :D

[Steve M]

I went through this fiasco a few years ago...I was in a similar situation, and went to a very busy tire shop that swore up and down they worked on Porsches and Ferraris all the time, so my Viper wheels/tires wouldn't be an issue. 15 minutes later, the manager was explaining to me how their guy gouged the face of my OEM 5-spokes with a pry bar...he felt bad, so he didn't charge me for that one wheel, but charged me Viper tax for the other 3. I ended up having the wheels refinished, and took them to a company that refinishes wheels locally (would have gone through them for everything had I known they existed). Their guys were actually competent, and mounted up my new rubber to the newly refinished wheels with no issues.

Bottom line: people will swear up and down they can do it, but you need to find someone that has actually done Viper wheels. The fronts weren't the issue, it was the rears since they are so wide.

[jjhammer]

Dang, I live in a small town and was planning on taking them to Discount tire... now you've got me scared :eek:

[Dave292]

Dang, I live in a small town and was planning on taking them to Discount tire... now you've got me scared :eek:

That's who I use. Dealer is 3.5 hours away.

[jjhammer]

Just took my wheels to Discount Tire to get new tires placed on. I questioned their expertise and asked them to be careful to prevent damage. A couple hours later all four wheels had scratches, chips and or gouges. Nausea sat in, as well as a little shock. The mgr offered to send them to California to get them refinished or cut me a check for $1k. These are the black chrome wheels that came on the VCA edition. What are your opinions? Think the refinishing would look good?

[Special Ed]

Dang, I live in a small town and was planning on taking them to Discount tire... now you've got me scared :eek:

I have used Discount Tire for my gen3 and gen5 with no problems.

[Vprbite]

Stealth: out here in AZ, even in a climate controlled garage, our tires dry out fast because of our ultra dry air. My personal policy on any vehicle is 4 years and replace. 5 years in a pinch if tread is good and no cracks. But that's it! On the viper, I wouldn't go past 4, regardless of miles. That's my opinion, take it for what it's worth.

I use discount tire as well. I have a friend who is a manager and a serious car guy so perhaps he put his best guy on it, but they have done it a few times for me as well as other friends with a lotus, a Ferrari, a Z06, GTR, all big odd sizes and tricky. I've never had a problem nor have my friends. Maybe take a photo of your wheels right as you pull up so the manager knows and they can be responsible for any knicks, etc. Of course no matter where you go, every person in the world makes mistakes from time to time. As long as they make it right, I'd be ok.

Good luck!!!!

P.s. When they took the 4yr old run flats off my previous car (first thing I did after delivery was replace tires) it took 3 people to wrestle them off. They were a bitch. Still no Knicks though.

[06SRTCoupe]

The other factor here is equipment. I take mine to Big-O tires without an issue. However, in addition to the guys being competent, they also have the newest version of the tire mount/dismount machine (about 5ish years old now). Some companies will not.

I think there is one advantage to taking it to a Dodge dealership though. If they screw the wheel up, they'll more than likely order you a new one for free. I'd be willing to bet that you'll pay a lot more for the mounting/balancing though.

[Stealth78]

Well I had my tires dismounted and new rubber mounted Monday night. I put my trust into the local guy that I have been using for years and he didn't let me down! Not a single nick or scratch anywhere! When I showed up he handed me an LED flashlight and said "take a close look for yourself", so happy I put my faith in him.

Vprbite- That's how my last set was on my 06 but the ones on the 08 are not run-flats and seemed to come off a bit easier. Funny enough my new 08 came from AZ!

As for my new tires, I have to say so far (about 30-40 miles on them) I DO NOT like them. No exaggeration I think my 8 year old Michelin's hooked just as much as these new Pirelli P-Zero's. I know it's not exactly hot outside up here right now but it was 72 degrees and sunny, and I had the tires plenty warmed up and these tires will not hook! Anyone else have trouble getting these P-Zero's to hook in 70 degree weather?

[Stealth78]

Anybody else having traction issues with these P-Zero's? I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt but man these things are horrible. Does anyone know if these tires are extremely sensitive to cooler weather? I must have 60 miles on these tires now with no improvement. I have also made identical runs on these tires (same speed, same road, same acceleration) compared to the 8 year old Michelin's that I just took off and I swear these are worse!?!? Any feedback would be appreciated.

[PTP]

Anybody else having traction issues with these P-Zero's? I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt but man these things are horrible. Does anyone know if these tires are extremely sensitive to cooler weather? I must have 60 miles on these tires now with no improvement. I have also made identical runs on these tires (same speed, same road, same acceleration) compared to the 8 year old Michelin's that I just took off and I swear these are worse!?!? Any feedback would be appreciated.

I have found some new tires can take up to 500+ miles before they get good traction.

[Vprbite]

Stealth, I don't know about the P-zeros and 70 degrees, but I will say I have loved my PSS that are on the car now. 24k miles in 3 years and just starting to get worn down. Well, the rear ones at least. It seems someone has been spinning them from time to time. Hehe. I will replace them before the end of the year. I was goig to go with the p-zeros, as I thought the corsas are too soft.

Glad all went well with mounting. It really may just come down to the guy doing it and how careful they are?

[DaveW]

I have found some new tires can take up to 500+ miles before they get good traction.
I agree, especially with these P-Zeros. Replaced my OEM wheels ('00) and PS2's, which I loved, with a set of GenV Rattlers and new Pirellis. Immediately loved the look, but hated the ride - slipping and sliding, noisy at speed. After 400 or so miles they hook up much better and have quieted significantly. Still, they don't track as well as the Michelins on uneven roads...

I'm guessing, but it could have been all the rubber tips (vent spews) on the tread from the molding process which are wearing away...

[Stealth78]

Stealth, I don't know about the P-zeros and 70 degrees, but I will say I have loved my PSS that are on the car now. 24k miles in 3 years and just starting to get worn down. Well, the rear ones at least. It seems someone has been spinning them from time to time. Hehe. I will replace them before the end of the year. I was goig to go with the p-zeros, as I thought the corsas are too soft.

Glad all went well with mounting. It really may just come down to the guy doing it and how careful they are?

Thanks. On my 06 I had gone from 8 year old run flats the Michelin Pilot Sports and it was mind blowing on how much an improvement there was with traction and the overall feel. Now with my new car I went from 8 year old Pilot Sports to the P-Zero's and I literally feel like I took a step in the wrong direction... guess time will tell.

[Stealth78]

I agree, especially with these P-Zeros. Replaced my OEM wheels ('00) and PS2's, which I loved, with a set of GenV Rattlers and new Pirellis. Immediately loved the look, but hated the ride - slipping and sliding, noisy at speed. After 400 or so miles they hook up much better and have quieted significantly. Still, they don't track as well as the Michelins on uneven roads...

I'm guessing, but it could have been all the rubber tips (vent spews) on the tread from the molding process which are wearing away...

Thanks guys, at least there is hope. What you just stated is exactly what I'm dealing with, slipping and sliding! I tried pulling out onto a rural highway (50mph) the other day with light traffic and I almost spun the car completely around. I thought I just drove through a damn oil slick or something. Weather has been sucking ever since I bought the car but it looks like we're coming into a week of sun and 70 degree weather. I'm going to try and get some miles on these tires this week and will report back.